Mayor Curry said, “As part of a statewide group of advisors to Governor DeSantis, I have watched him lead Florida through this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. His leadership has protected our people and minimized the tragic outcomes in other large states. We are all saddened for the families of those we have lost, and we continue to care those who suffer with this illness. In response to this virus, Governor DeSantis acted and prevented those numbers from being much worse.

The Governor and his entire team are taking action every day in Jacksonville by expanding testing, protecting our most vulnerable, distributing protective equipment to those heroic medical emergency workers, and setting out a roadmap for opening our state.

Today’s announcement of the Plan for Florida’s Recovery is the formal starting point of that roadmap. The plan lays out a phased approach that is safe, smart, and ready to guide us, step-by-step, back to the life we knew before the virus. This plan, working in conjunction with national guidance from President Trump, will allow our city and every community in Florida to get back to life as we knew it just months ago.

Each step forward will require an evaluation to ensure we are continuing to mitigate the impact of the disease. But if we each continue to do our part, each step will lead to the next and the next after that. Starting this evening, my administration will review the statewide guidance to ensure our local orders remain in synch with this plan. I will provide further updates and guidance on local policies beginning tomorrow.

I am thankful for the way Jacksonville citizens have responded to this crisis. It’s because of your sacrifices and efforts that we have flattened the curve and can move forward in a smart and safe way.”